You can't progress in the smartphone game Pokemon GO without Pokeballs. You need them to catch Pokemon that you can use to fight later.
Pokemon GO: These four Pokeballs are available
In other Pokemon editions, there were sometimes over ten different types of Pokeballs. In Pokemon GO, however, Nintendo has limited itself to the four basic Pokeballs that were already available in the first versions of the game. The Pokeballs differ mainly in the catch rate and when you can use them:
- Pokeball: You get the normal, red and white Pokeballs at the beginning of the game. The catch rate isn't bad at first, but once the wild Pokemon get stronger, you hardly have a chance with them.
- Superball: The second level of Pokeballs are the blue Super Balls. You unlock these at trainer level 12. The Super Balls are much more effective than Pokeballs. Therefore, you should use them primarily against stronger Pokemon that have an orange or red circle when caught and a lot of competition points.
- Hyperball: You can use the Hyper Balls from level 20. The catch rate is best here. This means that you are most likely to catch strong Pokemon with these balls.
- Master Ball: The last type of Pokeball has a 100 percent chance of being caught and should be used primarily for rare Pokemon that have a high escape rate. However, you only get the Master Ball as a reward after a special research that starts at irregular intervals.
Pokemon GO: Here you can find Pokeballs
Once you reach the appropriate trainer level, you will receive all Pokeballs in different ways.
- Visit PokeStops: You will see blue holograms in the shape of a Pokeball everywhere on the map. If you walk to this location, you will find a Pokestop there. Here you can get free items such as Pokeballs, Super Balls or Hyper Balls.
- Visit arenas: You can also get items in arenas by rotating the photo disc. To do this, select an arena and tap the round icon at the bottom right. This will take you to the rotating top of the arena, where you will receive items every 5 minutes.
- Trainer leveling: Each time your trainer levels up, you will receive various items, including Pokeballs. The same applies to completed goals and challenges.
- The microtransaction: Finally, you can also buy Pokeballs with real money. Prices vary from a few cents to around 10 euros.
- Gifts:In your friendship list you will find gifts, of which you can open up to 20 per day. Here you can also find Pokeballs, stickers, potions, berries and stardust. In order to receive gifts from friends, however, you must have reached the second friendship level.
- Complete research tasks: Field research awaits you at the PokeStops. If you solve the corresponding tasks, you can get a Pokeball as a reward.
- Ingame-Shop: The app’s shop also contains free boxes every day that are filled with various items, including Pokeballs.
How to use Pokeballs in Pokemon GO
The best Pokeballs are useless if you don't use them. So here are some tips on how to catch lots of Pokemon with the balls you collect.
- Once a Pokemon appears on the map, tap it to enter capture mode.
- You automatically have a Pokeball equipped. You can switch to another ball at any time using the bag icon in the bottom corner.
- Swipe up on the screen to throw the Pokeball. Once you've hit the Pokemon, all you need is a bit of luck.
- If it jumps out of the Pokeball again, repeat the process until you finally catch the Pokemon.
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